Milk Jug Infrared Level Detection for Adaptive Coffee Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machines with milk dispensing devices face challenges in precisely controlling the milk dispensing cycle due to variations in milk type, temperature, pressure, and steam flow, leading to incomplete emptying of the jug and potential steam puffs.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine with an electronic controller that adjusts dispensing cycle delays based on the transition time of infrared optical signals detecting milk levels, allowing for adaptive control of the milk dispensing cycle to accommodate different types of milk, ensuring complete emptying without steam puffs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed delay is used between boiler deactivation and milk level detection, then the control system is simple, but the jug cannot be completely emptied for different milk types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the delay value adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The control system dynamically modifies the delay between boiler deactivation and milk level detection based on the detected milk type, allowing the system to adapt to different milk characteristics (viscosity, flow rate) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameter (delay time) based on detected milk type. By measuring the transition time of the optical signal and comparing it to nominal values, the system adjusts the delay parameter to accommodate different milk types, ensuring complete jug emptying without requiring a completely complex control architecture.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the boiler is stopped early to avoid steam puffs, then user safety is improved, but the jug is not completely emptied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from the optical detection system to monitor milk level in real-time. By continuously detecting the milk level and providing feedback to the control system, the boiler can be stopped at the precise moment when the milk level reaches the detection point, preventing steam puffs while ensuring complete emptying of the jug.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of milk level using the optical means before stopping the boiler. This preliminary action allows the control system to anticipate when the milk will reach the detection point and stop the boiler in advance, preventing harmful steam puffs while ensuring complete milk dispensing.
3Ease of operation
If a fixed dispensing cycle is used, then the device operation is simple, but incorrect operation occurs for different milk types
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting the milk type through optical means and autonomously adjusting the dispensing cycle parameters. The control system measures the transition time, compares it with nominal values, and modifies the cycle accordingly, eliminating the need for user intervention while maintaining operational simplicity and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and analysis of milk type characteristics before executing the dispensing cycle. By measuring the optical signal transition time in advance and comparing it with stored nominal values, the system prepares the appropriate dispensing parameters, ensuring reliable operation for different milk types while keeping the user interface simple.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adaptive control system ensures almost complete emptying of the milk jug regardless of milk type, preventing steam puffs and optimizing the milk dispensing process.
Implementation Method 1
an optical means being further provided to detect the level of milk present in said jug comprising at least a first operative infrared optical means for detecting at least around a first level of milk in said jug
Implementation Method 2
a lid closing the jug having a Venturi effect chamber connected to said steam dispenser and to said jug for drawing the milk present in said jug
Data Source
AI summary
Coffee machine comprising a milk dispensing device having a jug containing the milk from which the milk is drawn by means of a steam flow fed to a Venturi-effect chamber connected to the jug, where the machine body has an optical means for detecting the level of the milk present in said jug comprising at least a first operative infrared optical means for detecting at least around a first level of milk in said jug, where a controller is configured to control a current milk dispensing cycle at least on the basis of the signal acquired by the optical detection means.